Kerry Thomas

Matthew Rupert wrote:Mushroom compost is awesome.  It is hard to tell you ratios without knowing if those garden soils have anything added in already or not.  If not, I would say 5:1 or 4:1 ratio of soil to compost/amendments for starting is good.

The main concern I may have with your plan is putting the cardboard on top of the cloth.  I really do not know if that will slow decomposition of the cardboard or not.  It seems like it may.  Someone else with specific experience may be able to chirp in on this.  The idea is for the cardboard to decompose in one season.   The cardboard does not attract earthworms, but does help in smothering the grass, and then kind of opening up a border for the earthworms to move up into the bed.  I am not sure if the openings in that cloth are too small for earthworms to want to crawl up in between the holes or not.  

Thanks! Actually I have abandoned the idea of the cardboard, as I am worried about the chemicals that might be in it. I can always add earthworms, or (I've read) sprinkle cornmeal at the bottom, add soil, and then sprinkle more on top.

Can you comment on using prepackaged organic soils? I've considered using a mixture of the brands I've listed, diversifying my soil portfolio, as it were

So, I am starting a backyard raised garden ... it's 4'x12'x12in high ... I am a complete beginner, living in north Texas

So far I have the box constructed, with 1/2 in hardware cloth to keep rodents from burrowing underneath and will be putting cardboard on the bottom, on top of the HW cloth (i'm told this attracts worms, which I apparently want). This garden should get about 7 hours of full sunlight per day.

I know I'm late getting started and I will probably only get one crop this year. I plan on raising primarily vegetables.

I plan to fill it to about 10in depth with quality organic soil. At my level of experience(I need simple!), I think it's probably best to go with something pre mixed, and (maybe?) mix in some varied compost with it.

So I've found some packaged soils I'm likely to settle on, which are:
--Miracle-Gro Raised Bed Soil (labeled 100% organic)
--Ecoscraps organic garden soil (orange bag)
--Natures care Organic raised bed soil
--(maybe) mix in some Just Natural organic mushroom compost and/or Happy-Gro 100% organic compost.

Thoughts? Am I on the right track here? If I do mix in some compost, what ratio should I consider? 10%? Photo attached.